Menu

In My Kitchen May 2017

I haven’t done the last couple of IMK posts, and this one is a showcase of stuff that has been in my kitchen over the past few months.

Ben & Jerry’s released new vegan flavours last year some time, and four of those flavours have made it to Australia, with a way expensive price tag to boot. I’d gone to Prahran Convenience here in Melbourne to stock up on foods for Easter and these were the only two vegan Ben & Jerry’s flavours available. I had really wanted the peanut butter! The chunky monkey flavour is banana with choc chunks and walnut pieces. It was okay but really, I can make my own that tastes similar (dare I say better) and of course a fraction of the price: frozen banana nicecream with a little almond milk, toasted walnuts and some chocolate.

When I tried the chocolate fudge brownie flavour I wasn’t that impressed. I’m not usually a fan of chocolate, unless it’s something really good like the vegan chocolate flavours at Miinot Gelato in Pascoe Vale South. So this was a regret-purchase until I had a brainwave, and mixed in some PB2 powdered peanut butter. Then it was excellent:One of my purchases for Easter lunch was this awesome lemon dill cashew cheese made by Botanical Cuisine. This is just so good, I couldn’t take it home because I knew I’d finish it in a few hours. Love it and it’s very lemony too:

My other Easter lunch contribution was this Field Roast roast, which was quite nice:

Jerry’s Burgers have often had a stall at some events I’ve been to and I have always said I’ll buy a burger the next time I see the stall. This time I picked up these frozen patties from Prahran Convenience. These were nice plain-ish lentil based patties and I liked that they weren’t heavily flavoured because I had one more Mediterranean style, and another with Japanese sauces and gomasio:I’ve never tried any Suzy Spoon’s Vegetarian Butcher products, and a visit to Sydney would definitely include some purchases!I’ve bought this Viana veggie gyros before and liked it in a wrap souvlaki/gyros style. I’m not too big on buying mock meats but as a once in a while thing, this is okay:These sage and marjoram VegiDeli sausages were just okay, I’m sure I liked them much more in the past. Still good as a sausage sizzle though!Keeping it local with Zebra Dream’s peanut butter chocolate flavour. I love Zebra Dream icecream and this was really nice:Preston market (why do markets and supermarkets insist on cucumbers in plastic wrap?!). I’ll always get the hot jam donuts from the van at Preston market (100% plant based) so I probably took this photo while waiting for donuts 🙂

In My Kitchen is a monthly blog link up that is currently being hosted by Sherry at Sherry’s Pickings. I’m submitting this blog post of mine for May 2017. While not a vegan-specific event, anyone can join in and you can also discover new blogs, recipes, products, etc!

So nice to see whats in your kitchen this month. the lemon dill cashew cheese intrigues me, its looks really good. And so do the Suzy Spoons Veg Butcher products esp. the shnitzel, i note they are made with gluten, so perhaps i will give the shnitzels again. I also agree with you about Veggie Deli sausages, i have also just found them okay as a standbt

hi Faye thanks for joining in this month. I am loving all the interesting products on this post. that roast looks amazing and sounds so tasty. is it based on tofu or something like that? yes i agree about ice creams – ones you can make yourself with better ingredients. i signed a petition recently; i think it was on change.org, asking supermarkets to stop using plastic on small amounts of fruit and veg. let’s hope they listen. cheers!

The cheese sounds very nice – love that you know your own limitations ; ) I like your reviews of all the products you’ve tasted over the last few months. Just like any new purchase, some are good and some are, meh. It’s good to know as I have a couple of vegan friends and I’m always suggesting new products to them based on what I see on blogs. They could just subscribe but that seems a little too hard. I’ve shared this particular post with to them via FB.

I’m back from a break from blogging and reading blogs so enjoyed reading your post.

Faye, I always learn so much from you. (Thank you.) What an amazing world of flavors is “out there” if only I persevere. I’ve never figured out those “individually plastic wrapped cucumbers” either…kind of defeats the purpose! Coconut milk chocolate peanut butter ice cream sounds wonderful, as did your homemade Fudge Brownie creation. The Lemon & Dill Cashew Cheese also appeals to me greatly… doubt if I can find it here in my small town, but you’ve given me some ideas! 🙂

thanks! There are some wonderful plant based products and the ability to make a nut based cheese easily at home is great for everyone– making a lemon cashew dill raw cheese at home that tastes great is easy 🙂

Great roundup as usual. As you know I am always after GF recommendations too. So, if you ever feel inclined to do a vegan gf specific post it would be much appreciated. Couldn’t agree with you more about Botanical Cuisine products. I’ve got some in the fridge as I type, and it’s way too tempting to keep eating them. I’ve also got some Zebra salted caramel in the freezer, can’t say I love a lot of the ice creams as they are just way too sweet. And so expensive. I’m finding it a treat to get some of my fav purchases rather than routine practice. I’m not convinced it’s worth 14-16$ a small tub!

I learn a lot from you Faye about good gluten, dairy & vegan products. I love seeing what you have so if I ever see it around I may try it 🙂 Where’s Prahran Convenience? Is it in Commercial Road? I don’t think I’ve ever been there but may go have a look as it’s not far from me. I love the sound of the lemon & dill cashew cheese. Great bunch of goodies for #IMK xx

I have tried all four ben & jerry’s flavours and those two I didn’t care for at all. The other ones were pretty good. I loooove that botanical cuisine cheese too, cultured nut cheeses are my massive weaknesses.

Is that a lemon curd on top of the cashew cheese? Still haven’t seen Ben & Jerry’s vegan flavors around here (haven’t really put in a search either but my usual grocery stops don’t carry it) I am all about my banana soft serve at home too!

We just recently got the Ben and Jerry’s non-dairy in our area stores too. But you’re right, it’s so expensive. I bought the peanut butter flavour (sorry!) once when it was on sale. It was pretty good. I wouldn’t say I’m addicted or anything though.

Welcome!

Hello and welcome! I'm Faye and I blog about vegan life here in Melbourne, Australia. I love connecting readers with news of events, dining options, products, services and anything else that can help people already living, or those considering switching to a more plant based lifestyle. Family, my Greek roots, secondhand shopping and my home town are also a focus on my blog.